Zoo Curator

Hutchgov; Hutchinson (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Hutchinson seeks a Zoo Curator to lead animal welfare, oversee husbandry, and coordinate veterinary care for the zoo collection. You will supervise the animal care staff, manage records, permits, and AZA-related activities while aligning with the Zoo's master and strategic plans.

The role requires a strong background in biological sciences, AZA standards, and excellent leadership and communication skills. This is a full-time, on-site position with the City’s zoo department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological science, zoological or veterinary-related field.
• Minimum of five years of related experience, with at least two years in supervision.
• Hands-on AZA-standard daily husbandry techniques and welfare assessment.
• CPR/First Aid certification within 6 months of employment.
• AZA accreditation and wildlife rehabilitation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of husbandry, diets, and care of zoo animals.
• Coordinate veterinary care and liaison with contract veterinarians.
• Supervise animal care staff and schedule workloads.
• Maintain Zoo Master and strategic plans in collaboration with leadership.
• Manage population management records and permits; registrar duties.

Skills

Public relations

Supervisory experience

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological science or veterinary-related field

Tools

ZIMS

Job description

Imagine if you were given an opportunity to connect with others who want to keep our community the most livable and safe it can possibly be. If you are passionate about updating and growing our zoo and animal collection you may be a great addition to our Zoo team. Make a difference with the City of Hutchinson!

The Zoo Curator is responsible for ensuring the proper care and welfare of all collection and rehabilitation animals including daily husbandry, animal records, permits and reports. Assists the Zoo Director with updating and maintaining the Zoo's Master plan, strategic plan, and collection plan. Acts as a liaison between the Zoo director and contract veterinarians, and as the Institutional Representative for AZA population management species. Is responsible for supervising the zookeeper staff. This employee should possess excellent public relations, supervisor, organizational, and communication skills.

A Day in the Life:

Management of Animal Husbandry and Welfare:

• Oversees all aspects of husbandry techniques, diets and care of all zoo animals.
• Implement policies and procedures relevant to the specimen collection in an AZA-accredited zoo and licensed rehabilitation facility.
• Coordinates veterinary care and acts as a liaison between the zoo director and contract veterinarians.
• Oversees Zoo medication usage with collection and rehabilitation animals including treatments, vaccinations and annual exams.
• Researches and collaborates/provides guidance to contract veterinarians on species-specific health/welfare cases regarding the diagnoses and treatment of collection animals in line with the Zoo's Animal Welfare Policy and procedures.

Supervision of Animal Care Staff:

• Assists with the recruitment, interviewing, hiring and firing of all animal care staff.
• Oversees the animal care peer-training program and provides direct training on Zoo policies and procedures
• Assigns and schedules animal care staff; approves time off requests and weekly timecards
• Ensures that work performed by animal care staff is of high quality in all areas and aspects of the Zoo's animal welfare goals and USDA and AZA standards are met.
• Ensures the safety of animals and staff through regular check-ins on work routines and practices
• Assists with the facilitation of staff training on safety and best practices for animal husbandry and training
• Provides guidance on appropriate daily notes for ZIMS with all animal areas.
• Evaluates current animal care staff annually for merit increases. Assists with annual individual goal planning.
• In conjunction with the Zoo director, disciplines staff if needed, up to and including termination.

Oversight of Animal Care Facilities:

• Assists the Zoo Director with updating and maintaining the Zoo's Master plan and strategic plan.
• Collaborates with the Zoo Director and Parks leadership on exhibit design development and renovations
• Ensures the safety of the animal collection in their habitats through regular inspection and oversight of animal care staff safety practices.
• Assists with the coordination of zoo grounds, maintenance staff and parks staff on animal facility repairs
• Ensure through personal observation and consultation with animal care and Parks staff, effective pest control programs throughout the facility.

Coordination of Population Management and Animal Records

• Acts as a liaison with USDA on permits and inspections; applies for new permits as required
• Acts as a liaison with USFWS and KDWP on rehabilitation permits and reports
• Collaborates with Director on AZA programs and Accreditation
• Acts as an Institutional Representative for the facility
• Assists with the initiation and participation of conservation programs inside and outside the AZA
• Acts as Registrar and ensures animal-related record keeping is correct and well maintained
• Coordinates animal acquisition, disposition and transfer/shipments of collection animals

Management of Budget

• Researches and procures inventory and orders for all zoo supplies when needed
• Oversees the inventory of supplies for animal care staff
• Tracks and submits billing and receipts for Animal care department expenses and animal produce
• Ensures that spending stays within budget
• Collaborates with the Zoo director on the City budget planning process each year

Other duties:

• Participates in Fundraising events as needed
• Assumes responsibility for the Zoo in the absence of the director.
• Perform other duties as deemed necessary or assigned.

What You Will Need to be Successful:

Education:

A Bachelor's degree in biological science, zoological or veterinary-related field is required.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of similar or related experience is required. At least two of those years should include supervisory experience. Prior hands-on paid experience in AZA-standard daily husbandry techniques and the assessment of the care and welfare of Zoo animals is essential. Prior experience in behavioral husbandry and veterinary treatment techniques is preferred. Wildlife rehabilitation experience is preferred. The employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within one year of employment.

Certifications/License:

Must have or be able to obtain CPR/First Aid Certification within 6 months of employment.

The City of Hutchinson employs over 400 employees that serve our community every day. City employees make Hutchinson a great place to live, work, and play. We take pride in our work, and it shows. Come be a part of a workforce that makes a difference! We're always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team.

City of Hutchinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.